The Zeigarnik Effect and Unfinished Tasks

Ever started filling out an online banking application, only to get distracted and leave it unfinished? Chances are, that incomplete task stuck with you, nagging at your brain until you returned to complete it.

This is the Zeigarnik Effect in action. Our minds are naturally drawn to incomplete actions, creating a sense of tension that can only be resolved by finishing what we started.

Banks are catching on. By strategically interrupting certain processes – like those lengthy online applications – they can actually increase the likelihood of customers returning and completing them. It's a subtle nudge that plays on our innate desire for closure.

So, the next time your banking app "helpfully" saves your progress and prompts you to return later, remember, it might not just be a convenience feature. It could be a clever tactic designed to keep you engaged and coming back for more.